REVIEW: Acoustic Syndicate's Rooftop Garden polished, true

Even 20 years into their career, Acoustic Syndicate still feels like there is work to be done in carving out their legacy.

Their new album, “Rooftop Garden,” proves it.

Acoustic Syndicate is far from resting on its laurels with this release — especially upping the ante in production. Grammy- winning producer Stewart Lerman took control of the album from “square one” in his New York City studio, according to Bryon McMurry, who wrote half of the album’s songs with the other half, of course, by his cousin, Steve McMurry.

“We decided going into this record that we were going to get somebody totally disassociated with acoustic rock and Americana music (to produce),” Bryon McMurry said. “Stewart, in his own way, made it come together. I feel like this is the single-most important record to us since we’ve been doing this stuff.”

From start to finish, the 10-track release - their first album since 2004's "Long Way Round" - is a fine-tuned blend of bluegrass, blues and ballads and features more of a rock sound than previous Acoustic recordings. It also consistently exudes the virtues of farming, a staple of the McMurry family in Upper Cleveland County for generations.

Steve’s introspective ballad, “Song for Me” was labeled “about the prettiest and best song Steve’s ever written,” by Bryon to the crowd before the encore at the recent Clear Mountain Music Festival in Lawndale on Saturday night. Steve’s “Memphis Girls,” which will be the next video release, is up-beat, southern and fun.

Bryon’s own “Heroes,” already with a video release, highlights the love of farming and family. The title tack, “Rooftop Garden,” also Bryon’s, is edgier.

“These songs represent where we were in our lives. The songs sort of found me. I’ve never had words come so easily, and all of the melodies were dancing around,” Bryon McMurry said.

“For me, a lot of it was about working with farmers and working with the families. You see how fragile things really are … from the food we eat, to how we view the world. I’ve never seen things so polarized in my life. You want to keep a connection to what’s real and what I grew up knowing. Every single song is something personal to me.”

There’s a balance to “Rooftop Garden” and its songs in the live setting. On solos, especially, Billy Cardine’s dobro blends with Steve’s acoustic guitar and Bryon’s mix of banjo and six-string electric guitar. Jay Sanders’ bass guitar and Fitz McMurry’s drums remain as solid and driving backbones. Fitz’s harmonies with Steve and Bryon are as true as ever.

Acoustic played most of these songs live for a few years as they continued to polish them in the studio. Now, with an even deeper catalog, the five-piece will take to the road.

So far, there are 12 shows booked through the end of 2013 — including stops in Charleston, S.C. (Sept. 13), Mount Holly (Sept. 28), Wilmington (Oct. 25), Winston-Salem (Oct. 26) and their staple near-Christmas show at Charlotte’s Visulite Theater (Dec. 20).

And 2014 could be even bigger.

“I think we’re going for it all in 2014. We’ll see what happens, but it’s sort of our ‘Hail Mary,’ Bryon McMurry said. “We have these songs and fresh material, now it’s time to get out and play.”

How to get Rooftop Garden: Visit acousticsyndicate.com to pre-order the new album, which is set to be released and available on Tuesday (CD, iTunes and Amazon download). CD will also be available at concert venues.